Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has publicly defended his niece and fellow show dancer Hailey Bills against online criticism labeling her a “nepo baby.” The backlash followed a media profile published on October 2, 2026, detailing Bills’ entry into the professional cast for Season 35.
The controversy emerged after an interview outlined Bills’ progression into the main professional lineup. Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Bills’ aunt Jenna Johnson, quickly rejected the dismissal of her qualifications in the comments section of an Instagram post.
“What a nonsense headline, this girl is not just qualified but by some metrics might be overqualified,” Val Chmerkovskiy wrote. “A long way to go and grow for her of course, but the audacity to discredit the nearly 15 years of work at the highest level without a single handout, all the way to all-around best dancer titles numerous times, along with a quality and range of movement that speaks for itself.”
Hailey Bills’ Journey to the DWTS Pro Lineup
At 20 years old, Hailey Bills entered Season 35 as the youngest professional dancer on the roster. Her history with the franchise dates back to 2018 when she appeared on the single-season spin-off Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, where she was mentored by her aunt Jenna Johnson.
Growing up in Frisco, Texas, Bills trained extensively at Utah’s Center Stage Performing Arts Studio. She earned recognition as a two-time national champion at The Dance Awards, capturing both Mini Female Best Dancer and Teen Female Best Dancer titles. Before her promotion to the main professional cast, she performed as a member of the Season 34 dance troupe and toured extensively across the country.
Despite acknowledging familial connections within the dance industry, Bills has maintained an open perspective about her background. In previous interviews, she noted that familial ties opened doors, while emphasizing the heavy physical training and dedication required to sustain a professional dance career at the highest level.
Family Connections on Dancing with the Stars
The Chmerkovskiy-Johnson family tree runs deep within the long-running ABC competition series. Val Chmerkovskiy joined the show following his brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy, while Jenna Johnson has claimed multiple Mirrorball Trophies throughout her tenure. The interconnected nature of the cast has frequently brought discussions of familial influence to the forefront as new generations of dancers step into competitive roles.
During Season 35, Bills was paired with celebrity partner Sarah Jane Nader, marking only the second all-female partnership in the history of the franchise. Although their time in the competition was cut short following an early elimination during the premiere weeks, supporters and fellow cast members have continued to emphasize Bills’ technical background and years of competitive training.
